Shloka 17

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

मितं विपाकं च हितं भक्ष्यं बालादिपूर्वकम् / आपोशानेनोपरिष्टादधस्ताच्चैव भुज्यते

Transliteration

mitaṃ vipākaṃ ca hitaṃ bhakṣyaṃ bālādipūrvakam / āpośānenopariṣṭādadhastāccaiva bhujyate

Translation

Hendaklah makan dengan kadar yang sederhana, makanan yang dimasak sempurna dan berkhasiat—dimulai dengan yang sesuai untuk kanak-kanak dan seumpamanya. Kemudian makanlah setelah melakukan āpośana (meneguk air secara ritual), dengan air tersedia di atas dan di bawah sebagaimana ditetapkan.

Word by Word

• मितम्: measured/moderate
• मितम्: Qualifier (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मित (प्रातिपदिक; मा (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (भक्ष्यम् इति विशेषण)

• विपाकम्: (proper) cooking/digestion (i.e., well-cooked)
• विपाकम्: Qualifier (Apposition/गुण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (गुण-निर्देशः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• हितम्: wholesome/beneficial
• हितम्: Qualifier (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक; धा (धातु) + क्त, ‘placed/beneficial’)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (भक्ष्यम् इति विशेषण)

• भक्ष्यम्: food to be eaten
• भक्ष्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक; भक्ष् (धातु) + यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• बालादिपूर्वकम्: beginning with children etc. (i.e., after feeding them first)
• बालादिपूर्वकम्: Qualifier (Manner/क्रम)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाल + आदि + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (भक्ष्यम् इति विशेषण); ‘बालादि’ इति समाहार-निर्देशः

• आपोशानेन: with sipping of water (ācamana)
• आपोशानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आपोशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• उपरिष्टात्: from above/at the top
• उपरिष्टात्: Adhikarana (Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरिष्टात् (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• अधस्तात्: from below/at the bottom
• अधस्तात्: Adhikarana (Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधस्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis particle)

• भुज्यते: is eaten/should be eaten
• भुज्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the dialogue framework of the Garuda Purana)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Eat in moderation; food should be well-cooked and wholesome; begin with appropriate items for dependents/children; perform āpośana and keep water as prescribed.

Vedantic Theme: Regulation of senses (indriya-nigraha) supports sattva and steadiness of mind; bodily discipline as support for higher pursuits.

Application: Adopt portion control; prioritize digestible, wholesome cooking; observe a brief water-sipping/mindfulness prelude; keep water available during meals; serve children/dependents appropriately first.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household meal setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.15-19

FAQs

What is the importance of āpośana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats āpośana (ritual sipping of water) as a prerequisite to eating, marking the meal as a disciplined, purified act rather than mere consumption.

How does this verse relate to dharma in daily life?

It frames eating as a dharmic practice: moderation, wholesome preparation, correct order, and ritual mindfulness together uphold bodily health and ritual purity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Eat in moderation, prefer well-cooked wholesome food, and begin meals with a mindful purification step (traditional āpośana or a brief moment of intention and cleanliness).